Part 15 (1/2)

Me: Okay, now watch me first. Raise your right arm, move it clockwise up and over your head, and our swords meet in the middle. Try it.

Scott: Like this?

Me: Great! When the tips of our swords are touching, it's called the top hat position. Now, lower your right arm to your left again and bring the swords together again at our feet.

Scott: How about this?

Me: Okay, but try not to take my arm off, either.

Scott: Sorry.

Me: Try again. By yourself this time. I'll be . . . stage left. As in far away.

Scott: Ha, ha. Seriously, I can do this. I promise not to poke your green eyes out.

Me: Maybe I should wear protective headgear. Like, a face helmet?

Scott: (Glides tube through air, over head, and down to feet.) Me: That was great. Perfect. Now, we both go at the same time. Top hat position first, then down to our feet. Think of it like a dance.

Scott: Whoa, whoa, wait a second here. You had to say ”dance”? Forget it. I'm a horrible dancer.

Me: No way. You danced in Hairspray, and you were fine.

Scott: You remember that? We were, like, seven. All I had to do, pretty much, was stand on some lady's feet and she twirled me around.

Me: Well, don't think your big clown feet are coming anywhere near my toes. C'mon. It just takes practice. Try.

Scott: (Raises sword to top hat position, back down to feet.) Me: Perfect! See? Was that so bad?

Scott: You're a good teacher.

Me: Thanks. Now we're going to start downstage and move upstage. Just remember, keep a safe distance from me, and never let your sword cross the other person's face. Your moves should be around me, not at me. Pretend you have an invisible force field around you.

Scott: So, I'm like Superman or Green Lantern or something?

Me: (Laughs.) You know what I mean.

Scott: Okay, no, seriously, I think I got it. Wow. That wasn't bad. I have to say I was really dreading this part.

Me: One more thing. Tomorrow we add footwork.

Scott: Footwork? (Slaps head.) Aw, you mean dancing! Are you sure I can't just stand on your feet or something?

Me: Yeah, right. We're mortal enemies. You hate me.

Scott: That's gonna be hard, but I'll try to remember. (Looks at floor.) Me: Then I'll teach you the lunge, then we'll add the kill to the high-low sequence.

Scott: Is that a promise?

Me: Okay, you ready?

Scott: Ready. (Clunking of paper tubes ensues.) Me: Good! That's good!

Scott: (Holds his side in pain.) Oh, no!

Me: What?

Scott: Um, I hate to say anything, but you just stabbed me in the force field.

Me: Romeo, thou art a villain.

Monday. I dreaded the day I would have to go back to school and face Wire Rims, but it came anyway, just as I predicted. Whoever invented Mondays should get sent to permanent detention.

When I got to school, I didn't see any sign of Wire Rims in the halls. Phew. I was safe until Earth Science.

I made it through morning recess. Still no sign of Wire Rims. But then it was time for Earth Science, and I knew I couldn't put it off any longer.

”What am I going to do?” I asked Olivia, biting and ripping half the nail off my finger. ”I mean, I freaked and just left him there. Just thinking of having to talk to him makes me want to throw up.”

”Well, you have to talk to him.”

”Easy for you to say.”

”Look. I don't see why you can't just like him. I mean, it's obvious he likes you. And you do like him, right?”

”How many times do I have to tell you? Not like that.”

”Well, I like him.”

”Then you kiss him.”

”Gross. I don't like him that way.”

”h.e.l.lo! Me either!”

”So, tell him you hate his guts. Tell him not to come near you again.”

”It's not like that.”

”Stevie, you're driving me bonkers, you know that?”

I tried to tell myself it was going to be fine. But my stomach felt like I'd just stepped off the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Be strong, I willed myself. You can do this. You recited a poem in front of the entire Language Arts cla.s.s. You sang in front of 457 people onstage. You entered a cupcake contest that was almost all grown-ups.

When I got to Earth Science, I couldn't help looking directly at the second-to-last chair in the fourth row. Empty. He wasn't even here!

I took my seat in the back. Maybe I'd been all worried for nothing. Maybe he hadn't even come to school today. I felt my stomach unclench. I could breathe again.

”Are you looking for that kid Owen?” said the girl next to me.